Rights
2013 Constitution with a dedicated Constitutional Court and an expansive Bill of Rights
The 2013 Constitution replaced the Lancaster House text and created a standalone Constitutional Court as the apex on constitutional matters, with the Supreme Court remaining final on everything else. Chapter 4 contains a long Declaration of Rights including socio-economic provisions, and Chapter 15 recognises customary law and traditional leaders.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Constitutional Court is the apex on constitutional questions; the Supreme Court is final on other appeals.
Governing law
- Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act 2013 — Chapter 4 Declaration of Rights; Chapter 8 courts
- Constitutional Court Rules 2016
In practice
The 2013 text is generous on paper and its implementation has been contested, particularly around amendments affecting judicial tenure. The two-apex structure — Constitutional Court for constitutional matters, Supreme Court otherwise — is the practical point of departure for any appeal strategy.